Forums set to put federal election candidates in the spotlight

COMMUNITY members will have the chance to ask questions of federal election candidates at two forums held across the Bellarine.

The Point Lonsdale Civic Association (PLCA) will host a “Meet the Candidates” Forum at Point Lonsdale Primary School Hall on April 12.

Confirmed forum participants include Corangamite Liberal federal member Sarah Henderson, and candidates Libby Coker (Labor) and Simon Northeast (Greens).

More candidates, and therefore participants, may be confirmed following official election writs being served.

Everyone is welcome to attend the forum, which will begin at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start.

Meanwhile, the Ocean Grove Community Association, in conjunction with Barwon Heads and Breamlea associations, will host the federal Election Candidates Community Forum at the Ocean Grove Bowls Club May 1.

“We have already met with Sarah Henderson and Libby Coker this year and put forward a number of issues/initiatives, which we believe should be funded in part by a Federal Government,” OGCA chair Phil Edwards said.

“These include the extension of the Bellarine Aquatic Centre to address capacity problems, particularly the size and length of the pool and the supporting change rooms, the urgent and muchneeded upgrade of Grubb Road and Tuckfield Street in the short term and also the construction of the Bellarine Extension Link to the Geelong Ring Road in the medium term.

“We put forward to both candidates the need to improve the connectivity for all Ocean Grove residents between the towns on the Bellarine and to Geelong and to Geelong’s connection to Melbourne.”

Mr Edwards said in relation to connectivity, the OGCA was seeking funding support for the preparation of a feasibility study and business case for the establishment of education and cultural centre in the Buckley Park/Lake Victoria precinct, including pedestrian and cyclist links between Ocean Grove and Point Lonsdale.

The forum, which is also supported by the Combined Bellarine Community Associations, is on May 1 at 7pm.